News about rare earth • China

India has the world's third-largest reserves of rare earths of 6.9 million tons, the U.S. Geological Survey says, but only mines a fraction because private companies make limited investments. A government campaign launched in April, the National Critical Mineral Mission, aims to attain self-reliance in the sector.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced April 4 it would start requiring companies to apply for a license before exporting seven types of rare earths: samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium.

Once melted, the NdFeB (neodymium, iron, boron) mixture is cast into a mold and cooled to form ingots. The ingots are ground into tiny grains and milled, typically in a jet mill. This fine powder is pressed into a shaped mold. Magnetic energy from a wire coil is applied while the powder is heated and melted.>